Route 2 Bypass in Preston and North Stonington, Connecticut Released

Driving to and past Foxwoods Resort Casino and MGM Grand at Foxwoods will soon become a new experience for drivers. A recently released map on the MGM Grand at Foxwoods website shows the Route 2 Bypass, scheduled to open June 2, along with its connections to Foxwoods Boulevard, the road currently known as Route 2.

Through traffic on the new Route 2 bypass will bypass four traffic lights as it goes past the resort to the north.

Route 2 carries traffic between Norwich and Westerly and experiences heavy volume since it leads traffic to the Rhode Island beaches.

Those bound for the resort will use Foxwoods Boulevard to gain access to the five major parking lots and garages.

Westbound traffic coming from Interstate 95 will use the bypass, take the first exit, bear right, and following the signs for Route 214, Foxwoods Boulevard, and Ledyard Center.

At the bottom of the loop, patrons can bear right for Foxwoods Boulevard or go straight to Route 214 to access Trolley Line Boulevard and Two Trees Inn.

Trolley Line Boulevard provides guests to Lots A, B, and C, and the Great Cedar Garage (Great Cedar Casino).

Route 214 will allow guests to access the Pequot Museum.

Those bearing right for Foxwoods Boulevard can take the first left for Rainmaker Drive (Rainmaker Casino Garage), take the second left for Grand Pequot Avenue (Grand Pequot Tower Garage), or take the first right to go underneath the Route 2 bypass for Lake of Isles Drive (Lake of Isles golf course).

Traffic can take the third left for access to MGM Grand Drive (MGM Grand at Foxwoods Garage).

Eastbound traffic coming from Interstate 395 and Route 164 will access the resort via an exit ramp to the right with signs for Foxwoods Boulevard, MGM Drive, and Lake of Isles.

Once there, drivers can take their first right to MGM Grand Drive, continue straight on Foxwoods Boulevard and take the second right for Grand Pequot Avenue or take their first left for Lake Of Isles Drive.

Drivers will be able to turn at the third right to access Rainmaker Drive or turn at the fourth right to access Route 214 and Trolley Line Boulevard.

The fifth right will provide access to Wintechog Hill Road while across from it; drivers can turn left for Milltown Road.

Wintechog Hill Road is home of the annual Schemitzun Festival.

Traffic coming from Route 214 could turn right to access Foxwoods Boulevard for Route 2 eastbound toward I-95, go straight (to go underneath the highway) for the Route 2 bypass westbound toward Route 164 and I-395, or take a left on Foxwoods Boulevard to access Rainmaker Drive, Grand Pequot Avenue, Lake of Isles Drive, and MGM Grand Drive.

The map shows that traffic leaving Grand Pequot Avenue and Rainmaker Drive, will exit onto Foxwoods Boulevard and can turn left to access the Route 2 bypass westbound toward Route 164 and I-395 or turn right to take Foxwoods Boulevard eastbound toward I-95.

Traffic leaving MGM Grand Drive are prohibited from making a left turn since this is an exit ramp off the Route 2 bypass and must either go straight or take a right.

Those going straight go underneath the bypass and take a left onto Route 2 bypass westbound.

That traffic would travel toward Route 164 and I-395.

Drivers turning right would gain access to Foxwoods Boulevard for Grand Pequot Avenue, Rainmaker Drive, Route 214, and Trolley Line Boulevard.

That traffic could travel further eastbound for Route 2 toward I-95.

The map shows that the Route 2 bypass will feature two exits in both directions, both providing access to Foxwoods Boulevard.

Route 2 bypass westbound and eastbound traffic will transverse a half-circle curve exit ramp to access Route 214 and Foxwoods Boulevard.

Access to MGM Grand Drive will be provided by a half-diamond interchange at the other end of the resort.

Those using either exit will be at signalized intersections while through traffic will be able to enter and exit the Route 2 bypass without having to wait at any traffic lights.

Current traffic lights at MGM Grand Drive, Grand Pequot Avenue, Rainmaker Drive, and Route 214 are expected to remain to control internal traffic and those leaving the casino.

Foxwoods Boulevard traffic will be able to enjoy scenes of nature featuring various animals such as turkeys, bears, turtles, and deer whose images have been etched into concrete bridge abutments from one end of the 2.8-mile bypass to the other.

The uniqueness of having artwork carved into concrete bridge abutments is not new, the Merritt Parkway features 69 unique bridges with an Art Deco design.

When the Route 2 bypass opens on June 2, it will be the end of a project that began in spring 2007 and the newest highway in Connecticut.